PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
You are leading a software development project using a hybrid approach. During a sprint review, two senior developers have a heated argument about the technical implementation of a feature. The disagreement is causing tension among the team. What should you do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers choose Option D (let them resolve it on their own) thinking it empowers the team, but the PMP exam expects the project manager to actively facilitate conflict resolution, not delegate it entirely.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Meet with both developers separately and then together to find a solution
As the project manager, your first responsibility is to address the conflict directly using collaborative conflict resolution techniques. Meeting with each developer separately allows you to understand their technical perspectives without group pressure, and then bringing them together facilitates a solution that respects both viewpoints and maintains team cohesion. This approach aligns with the PMI People domain, emphasizing servant leadership and proactive conflict management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Escalate the conflict to the project sponsor
Why it's wrong here
Escalating the conflict directly to the project sponsor is premature and bypasses the project manager's primary responsibility for team management and conflict resolution. A project manager should first attempt to resolve interpersonal issues at the team level using appropriate conflict resolution techniques before involving higher authority. Escalation is typically reserved for situations where the PM's efforts have failed, or the conflict significantly impacts project objectives beyond the PM's scope of influence.
- ✗
Assign the feature to a different developer
Why it's wrong here
Assigning the feature to a different developer is a form of smoothing or withdrawal, which temporarily avoids the immediate problem but fails to address the underlying cause of the conflict between the two developers. This approach does not foster a collaborative team environment, nor does it equip the original team members with skills to resolve future disagreements. Unresolved conflicts can fester, potentially leading to decreased morale, reduced productivity, and recurring issues within the team.
- ✓
Meet with both developers separately and then together to find a solution
Why this is correct
Meeting with both developers separately to understand their individual perspectives, and then bringing them together to facilitate a joint solution, exemplifies a collaborative and confronting approach to conflict resolution. This method directly addresses the issue, encourages open communication, and seeks a win-win outcome that satisfies both parties while aligning with project goals. It empowers team members to participate in problem-solving, strengthening team cohesion and conflict management skills.
- ✗
Ask the team members to resolve it on their own
Why it's wrong here
Asking the team members to resolve the conflict on their own, without active project manager facilitation, is an avoidance strategy that risks allowing the conflict to worsen and negatively impact project progress and team dynamics. While self-organizing teams are encouraged, the project manager has a crucial role in coaching and intervening when conflicts arise that team members are unable to resolve independently. Unmanaged conflict can lead to decreased trust, missed deadlines, and a toxic work environment.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to the PMP Exam and Project Management Basics
Key term
Scrum Methodology
Scrum is a lightweight process framework that helps teams deliver complex projects in small, iterative chunks called sprints.
Key term
Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution is the process of addressing and resolving disagreements between team members or stakeholders to maintain a productive and collaborative project environment.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PMP practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PMP exam.